Amphiphilic block copolymer-toughened thermoset resins

Abstract

A composition comprising (1) a thermosettable resin selected from the group consisting of an epoxy resin, an epoxy vinyl ester resin, an unsaturated polyester resin or a mixture thereof, and (2) an amphiphilic mock copolymer dispersed in the thermosettable resin; fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP), coatings and composites prepared therefrom; and methods of preparing these.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A composition comprising (1) a thermosettable resin selected from the group consisting of an epoxy resin, epoxy vinyl ester resin, unsaturated polyester resin or a mixture thereof and (2) an amphiphilic block copolymer dispersed in the thermosettable resin; wherein the epoxy vinyl ester resin is selected from the group consisting of epoxy vinyl ester resin containing 45 percent monomeric styrene, epoxy vinyl ester resin containing 50 percent monomeric styrene; epoxy vinyl ester resin containing 36 percent monomeric styrene; epoxy vinyl ester resin containing 30 percent monomeric styrene; a brominated vinyl ester resin containing 40 percent monomeric styrene; epoxy vinyl ester resin containing 45 percent monomeric styrene; and a fluidized epoxy vinyl ester resin containing 40 percent monomeric styrene. 
     
     
       2. A composition comprising (1) a thermosettable resin selected from the group consisting of an epoxy resin, epoxy vinyl ester resin, unsaturated polyester resin or a mixture thereof and (2) an amphiphilic block copolymer dispersed in the thermosettable resin; wherein the unsaturated polyester resin has the general structural formula:
   (R—O—C(═O)—R′—C(═O)—O) x (R—O—C(═O)—CH═CH—C(═O)—O) y  
 
 
       wherein R and R′ are alkylene or arylene radicals in the diol and saturated acid respectively, and x and y are variable numbers which depend upon the composition and condensation conditions. 
     
     
       3. A composition comprising (1) a thermosettable resin selected from the group consisting of an epoxy resin, epoxy vinyl ester resin, unsaturated polyester resin or a mixture thereof and (2) an amphiphilic block copolymer dispersed in the thermosettable resin; wherein the unsaturated polyester resin is prepared by condensation of (a) ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acids or anhydrides to impart the unsaturation, (b) saturated dicarboxylic acids to modify the resin, and (c) diols or polyols.